Jones named LM head football coach

Posted on: January 31, 2019

The Little Miami football program is aiming to build on its recent successes as the team’s current defensive coordinator has been named the new head coach.

Caleb Jones has been selected to lead the Panthers through their final year in the Southwest Ohio Conference and through the transition to the Eastern Cincinnati Conference in the 2020-21 season and beyond. Jones is expected to be approved by the Board of Education at their Feb. 26 meeting.

Jones, a former college defensive end/tackle at Mount Union College, is currently a physical education teacher at Little Miami High School and has served as defensive coordinator for the Panthers since 2016. He takes over a team that amassed an 8-2 conference record last season and made its first playoff appearance in 26 years. This is his first head coaching job.

“It’s a dream come true, I’ve always aspired to be a head coach and I’m really happy for the opportunity,” Jones said. “I’m looking to building on the previous success and get ready for that transition to the ECC.”

As interim head coach, Jones has had time to look at all parts of the Panther program, and said he sees some areas to focus on now as head coach.

“We had a great season and we’re retaining 18 starters who I’m counting on to do a lot. But we also have some important roles to fill, player-wise,” he said. And on the coaching side: “Obviously the first role to fill is that offensive coordinator position, but that will come as we fill out the staff and aim to keep the same cohesiveness we’ve had in past seasons.”

LM Athletic Director Keith Pantling said keeping the program on an upward trajectory one of the reasons that made Jones’s selection appealing.

“Coach Jones played a critical role in resurrecting Little Miami football the last three years,” he said. “Witnessing the work of Caleb coupled with the passionate, unified support of our current coaching staff in favor of his hiring, spoke volumes. Stability and continuity were points of contention as we continue to build a strong, well-rounded, student-centered program.

“He’s the right person at the right time.”

Jones has been serving as interim head coach since former head coach Nate Mahon announced in December that he was leaving to take a position at Hamilton High School. Mahon said he had high praise for Jones’s work.

"Caleb has been instrumental with the development of the football program over the past three football seasons,” Mahon said. “Specifically, he has led a defensive unit that has been as good as anyone in the SWOC last year. Our defense has become a unit that is fast, aggressive and tough. That is a direct reflection of Coach Jones' leadership.”